“I really knew a couple of weeks ago when I sat down with the coaches and really talked to them and saw how they felt about me,” Blanding told Rivals.com. “I got to find out where they see me playing. After talking with the new defensive coordinator (Jon Tenuta), I really fell in love with Virginia.”

Blanding, 6-2, 200 pounds, is the highest rated player in the 2014 class to commit. He is rated No. 4 overall by Rivals.com and No. 7 by 247Sports.com. He excelled on defense and piled up more than 1,000 receiving yards as a junior as well. He chose the Cavaliers on Wednesday over FSU and North Carolina and a handful of other schools he considered his finalists.

Blanding is the second high-profile recruit from Bayside High School in Virginia Beach, Va., in as many years to commit to Virginia. In February, running back Taquan Mizzell signed with Virginia. Mizzell was rated a 4-star prospect by 247Sports.com and the No. 62 player overall. Also, WR Anthony Cooper, a 4-star prospect from Bayside in the 2012 class, also is at Virginia and played in all 12 games last season at strong safety as a freshman.

With schools across the country entertaining players for their junior days, more elite players are likely to commit in the coming weeks and months. Some already have. Along with Blanding, here are five more of the top committed players for the 2014 class:

RB Bo Scarbrough, 6-2/218

Northridge/Tuscaloosa, Ala.

247Sports rank: 17

Rivals.com rank: 17

Committed to: Alabama

Quick hit: Is it any surprise that Nick Saban already has a big, bruising back committed for 2014? He can run through and around opponents and will fit right in the Tide backfield with T.J. Yeldon, Derrick Henry and the rest of the talented group.

Safety Edward Paris, 6-1/190

School/hometown: Mansfield Timberview/Arlington, Texas

247Sports rank: 9

Rivals.com rank: 38

Committed to: LSU

Quick hit: Like Alabama stockpiling running backs, LSU does it with defensive backs. Paris wants to start at corner and he’s physical enough and fast enough to do it. He’ll also get a shot at special teams, where he excelled as a kick returner at Mansfield Timberview.

LB Hoza Scott, 6-2/220

School/hometown: La Porte/La Porte, Texas

247Sports rank: 28

Rivals.com rank: 23

Committed to: Texas A&M

Quick hit: He’s not just a tackler and run-stopper, he’s a playmaker on defense and he does it with great instincts and being physical at the line of scrimmage. He plays like he can’t wait for the next snap.

QB Will Grier, 6-3/180

School/hometown: Davidson Day/Davidson, N.C.

247Sports rank: 53

Rivals.com rank: 18

Committed to: Florida

Quick hit: The small-school quarterback put up super-sized numbers as a sophomore and junior. He completed 324-of-414 passes as a junior for a state-record 5,785 yards and state-record 69 touchdowns. And he’s not just a thrower—he ran for 813 yards and another eight scores. His claim to fame came when he threw for a national-record 837 yards and 10 TDs in the playoffs in leading the Patriots to the NCISAA Division II state championship.

Athlete Cameron Denson, 6-1/170

School/hometown: Salpointe Catholic/Tucson, Ariz.

247Sports rank: 41

Rivals.com rank: 64

Committed to: Arizona

Quick hit: Wildcats coach Rich Rodriguez certainly would love to have Denson on the offensive side of the ball. But Denson is talented on both sides and could end up at receiver or cornerback. He has soft hands, speed and instincts that will make him a threat wherever he ends up on the field.